Denel’s Seeker 400 UAV clears flight test with full payload

South African drone maker Denel Dynamics has successfully completed flight tests of the Seeker 400 UAV with full payload on board.

The second round of flight tests examined the UAV’s range and performance while carrying a payload of 100kg.

Denel Dynamics CEO Tsepo Monaheng said: "This was the first series of flights of the Seeker 400 with the full payload.

"We are delighted about the performance of the Seeker 400 and confident that we will be able to start with production for clients within the next few months."

"This was the first series of flights of the Seeker 400 with the full payload.

The UAV can simultaneously carry and control two different payloads such as synthetic aperture radar and an electro-optical turret using a new digital data link system.

"The UAV can simultaneously carry and control two different payloads such as synthetic aperture radar and an electro-optical turret."

Easy in-field installation of the payloads makes the drone suitable for various tactical situations, the company said.

The Seeker 400 has a cruising speed of 150km/h and can fly for up to 16 hours at altitudes of up to 6,000m. It remains invisible to the naked eye at operating altitudes of between 1,500m and 3,000m, and inaudible at more than 1,000m.

The UAV’s first flight test conducted in February focused on its performance parameters.

Suitable for deployment in military and civilian missions, the Seeker 400 is a development of Denel’s earlier UAV Seeker II.

The Seeker II is now being upgraded to Seeker 200, and will be available to the company’s existing customers in five countries.

Image: The Seeker 400’s flight tests were conducted at the Alkantpan range in the Northern Cape in South Africa.